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Study Skills for Neurodivergent Students

Bodily-kinaesthetic Intelligence

  • Strengths: Learn best through movement and physical activity.

  • Study approaches: Take study breaks with movement, incorporate kinesthetic activities to engage with material (e.g., role-playing historical events).

  • Tools: Fidget spinners or other tactile objects, stand-up desks, educational apps with movement-based features.

  • Careers: Athlete, surgeon, performer, therapist, trainer, dancer, firefighter, police officer.

Study Skills for Bodily-kinaesthetic Intelligence

  • Move it or lose it: Take study breaks with physical activity, incorporate role-playing or simulations to learn concepts, and use fidget tools to enhance focus.

  • Write to remember: Rewrite notes by hand, physically walk through problem-solving steps, and use movement to memorise key facts.

  • Study on the go: Use audio recordings for revision while walking or exercising, explore educational apps with interactive elements.
  • Move it to organise: Physically sort through notes, arrange materials while standing, and use flashcards with active recall methods.

  • Build study routines: Establish physical routines linked to studying (e.g., stretching before each session), incorporate movement breaks during study sessions, and find active ways to review material (e.g., acting out historical events).

  • Organise hands-on: Utilise physical organisers like binders with dividers, utilise notecards for tactile engagement, and explore 3D printing educational models for enhanced understanding.
  • Move your body: Take short breaks with physical activity (e.g., stretches, walking), incorporate movement into study sessions (e.g., pacing while learning), and experiment with standing desks.

  • Hands-on learning: Engage in activities that involve physical engagement with the material (e.g., building models, role-playing historical events), utilise manipulatives like fidget tools for focus.

  • Find active study methods: Incorporate movement-based learning strategies like acting out concepts, writing key points on walls or whiteboards, and physically changing locations for different study topics.
  • Role-play and act out concepts: Physically recreate historical events, perform experiments, and engage in hands-on activities.

  • Use flashcards with movement: Combine physical movement with information recall while using flashcards.

  • Pace while studying: Walk around while reviewing notes or listening to lectures.

  • Build or create models: Utilise physical models to represent complex concepts and relationships.
  • Move to write: Stand up while composing, pace around during brainstorming, and utilise movement breaks to enhance focus and creativity.

  • Act out your essay: Role-play your arguments, physically embody different perspectives, and deepen your understanding through movement.

  • Write with expression: Vary your writing pace and emphasis, inject passion into your words, and connect with your writing physically.

  • Experiment with formats: Consider creative writing styles, explore storytelling techniques, and find a format that allows you to express yourself freely.
  • Move while you research: Take active breaks between reading, utilise flashcards with physical movement for information recall, and explore research databases while standing.

  • Role-play key arguments: Discuss research findings with peers, act out different perspectives, and embody the research process in an active way.

  • Organise physically: Utilise physical filing systems for paper copies, arrange notes spatially to reflect connections, and move your body to solidify learning.

  • Creative note-taking: Utilise sketchnotes, diagrams, or physical models to represent research findings and enhance memory.

Tools and Apps

Flashcards:

  • Anki: Spaced repetition flashcard system for effective memorisation.
  • Quizlet: Create flashcards, study sets, and games for various subjects.

Hands-on activities:

  • Tynker: Learn to code through interactive games and creative projects.

Movement breaks & Fidget Tools:

  • Stand-up desks, exercise balls: Promote movement and focus during study sessions.
  • Fidget cubes, fidget spinners: Channel extra energy while staying engaged.

Fitness & Activity Tracking:

  • Strava: Track workouts, analyse performance, and connect with other active students.
  • Peloton App: Access virtual cycling and fitness classes for various fitness levels.
  • Nike Training Club: Free app with guided workouts and training programs for diverse fitness goals.

Kinesthetic Learning Apps:

  • Elevate Brain Training: Games designed to improve cognitive skills, including spatial reasoning and kinesthetic learning.